Golf-ball cleaner



Jan.- 18,1927. I

J. C. BOECKH GOLF BALL CLEANER" FiledApril 12, 1926 H! Il ll! I I I I I III l I'II IIIIII I I I IIZVEHTOR Patented Jan. 18, 1927.

warren STATES.

JOHN CHARLES BOECKH, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

G-QLF BALL CLEANER.

Application filed April: 12, 1928; Serial No. 101,392.

This invention relates to a golfv ball cleaner as described 1n the'present specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form part of the same.v

The invention consists-essentially of thenovel features pointed out broadly and specifically in the claims for novelty following a description containlng an explanation in detail of an acceptable form of the invention. The ob ects ofthe lnvention are to provide a cleaning device formed to embrace about half of the surface ofthe ball. which is being cleaned, thus saving appreciable time and trouble, and also formed to remove dirt or other matter from the markings or recesses in the ball surface; to produce a devicethat will not splash water or dirt when used; to

furnish such a device adapted to be either secured upon a tee-box or other object, or to be carried loosely; and generally, to manufacture an improved, eflicient, light and inexpensive golf ball cleaning device, capable of accomplishing the aforesaid purposes.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device.

Figure 2 is a sectional end view taken through the centre length of the device.

Figure 3 is a side elevation view.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.

Referring to the drawings, the device consists of the block or back 10, made preferably of wood, and the brush portion 11. The back 10 is formed substantially as shown in Figure 1, being sized and proportioned to be gripped and firmly held in one hand while the ball is being cleaned. Countersunk holes 12 are provided for securing the device to any suitable object, such as a tee-box; or it may be tied to any object by means of a chain; or again, if preferred, the device can be carried loosely.

The brush portion 11 is made of a plurality of tufts, knots or plugs of suitable bristles, the tufts being arranged and sized to form a substantially spherical cavity or recess 14 in the brush. The tufts are accordingly laid in a number of concentric circular or annular rows 15, 16 and 17 surrounding a number of tufts 18 which are provided to fill the circular space within the inner row' 17 The spherical diameter of the cavity 1 1 is made such that it embraces less than half the surface of the ball in order to allow the ball, when being cleaned, to be forced down into the cavity until about one half of its surfaceis in contact with the bristles.

The-height of each successive row of tufts increases from the inner row 17 to the outer row 15, the inner row being slightly taller than the centre tufts l8; and the relative heights of the rows and their diameters are such that the ball normally restsnpon each tuft inthethree rows while the ball is clear of the centre tufts 18, as is clearly shown in Figure 2 wherein the ball is designated by the numeral 19.

The tufts in rows 15, 16 and 17 are slightly inclined. inwardly, from bottom to top, the degree of inclination increasing from the inner row tothe outer row, as clearly shown in Figure 2, so that when the ball is forced downwardly into the cavity, the bristles will better engage or dig into the markings or recesses in the ball surface, and it will also be found that grass stains or markings will be easily and completely removed.

The entire back 10 and the holes receiving the tufts are fully impregnated with several coats of clear cellulose lacquer or other suitable material, so as to render the device impervious to rain or moisture and to prevent damage from the action of wind and sun.

It will be seen that since half the surface of the ball is in contact with the bristles and since the ball depends for its cleaning upon its being rotated, the ball can be cleaned very quickly; especially when the device is held in one hand and the ball in the other, and each given an inverse motion.

The drawings reveal a brush back having a flat upper face, but this face can be made slightly convex Without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. It will be understood further that since the device may be secured to a teebox, therefore being exposed to rain and dust, it is important that its upper face be either flat or convex, but not concave.

In using the device, the ball is placed in the cavity, forced down thereinto, and given a to-and-fro twisting or turning n10- v tion. The ball is then turned completely around to present its uncleaned surface to the brush. and the turning operation re peated. Since about half of the surface of the ball will be embedded in or embraced by the brush, two separate operations will Ill) usually clean the ball thoroughly. If the device is not rigidly secured to the tee-boX, the back is gripped in the palm of one hand while the fingers embrace one end thereof, and the ball gripped with the other hand.

\Vhat I claim is:

1. A golf ball cleaner comprising a brush back and a plurality of annular rows of bristles in tufts locked in said back and reducing in height from the outer row inwardly to form a rubbing cup for the ball.

2. A golf ball cleaner comprising a brush back, a plurality of concentric annular rows of tufts of bristles locked in said back and sized to form a substantially spherical recess for the ball, and a plurality of tufts of bristles locked in said back and filling the circular space Within the innermost of said annular rows and sized to normally clear the ball when same is placed in said recess.

3. A golf ball cleaner comprising a back, a plurality of vertically disposed tufts of bristles locked in said back and forming a circular space, and. a plurality of annular rows of tufts of bristles locked in said back and surrounding said circular space and increasing in height from the inner to the outer of said annular rows and proportioned to form a substantially spherical recess for the ball.

4. A golf ball cleaner comprising a back, a circular rubbing pad comprising a plurality of vertically arranged tufts of bristles locked in said back, and a plurality of'in- Wardly inclined tufts of bristles locked in said back and arranged in concentric annular rows around said circular space and sized to form a recess adapted to normally hold the ball clear of said circular rubbing pad.

5. A golf ball cleaner comprising a back, a circular rubbing pad comprising a plurality of vertically arranged. tufts of bristles locked in said back, and a plurality of in- Wardly inclined tufts of bristles locked in said back and arranged in concentric annular rows around said circular rubbing pad and sized to form a cupped ball centre, the degree of inclination of each row increasing from the innermost to the outermost of said rows.

Signed at the city of Toronto, this 23rd day of March. 1926.

JOHN CHARLES BOECKH. 

